ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

Physical. The State requires that students participating in any sport program have on file with the school, a record of an updated physical examination that has been signed by their parents and doctor. A physical must be on file before the first practice.

HNCS Athletic Fee. An athletic fee of $55.00 per student, per sport is payable at the beginning of each school year or individual sports season.

Home School and Part Time Students. Home school or part-time students are welcome to participate in the athletic program. The school registration fee and athletic fee of $100 per sport are required. Students are expected to meet all of the behavior expectations of a HNCS student.

Traveling Attire. Students must wear logo shirts when traveling to athletic events.

Academic Eligibility Policy. Students participating in school sports programs are expected to maintain acceptable behavioral and academic standards. The principal will determine each student’s ongoing eligibility for participation. Students participating in athletics must be eligible by having no grades lower than 70% for the previous week.

Eligibility Procedure

Each Thursday by 3:00, teachers will create grade reports for any student participating in activities earning a grade of 70%.

The teacher will conference with the student and a notification will be sent home to the parents.

Students with a 70% will conference with teachers to develop a plan to avoid sports ineligibility.

Any student who has a 69% or below will be placed on the ineligibility list for one week. Eligibility will run from Monday to Monday.

Once the student’s grades are above a D (69%), they will become eligible.

If any student is in after school detention, they may practice after the detention is served.

Any out-of-school suspension (OSS) participant is not permitted to participate in activities until the (OSS) is completed.

Sportsmanship Prayer

Loving God, We gather in your name Respecting each other, Supported by parents, Led by coaches, Guided by officials. When we practice, Give us strength. When we play, Give us courage. When we win, Give us humility. When we lose, Give us peace. In all that we do, Let our lives praise you. Amen.

Important Information about Youth and Sports

Kids participate in sports primarily because it’s fun. Adults need to keep it fun. Some adults get too emotional about youth sports because they are too concerned about how their kids are doing, have the mistaken belief that winning is very important, or have a desire for glory through their kids’ success. That last one is part of the concept of living through your kids.

Kids need to know that if they’re trying their best, they are winners. Parents need to remember that their kids will not be great at everything. Recognizing that, parents can help most by relaxing and enjoying these fleeting years.

Placing too much pressure on kids to perform well creates stress that can detract from their fun and their performance and can affect their self-esteem. Instructions shouted to players are distracting, usually too late, and sometimes inaccurate or in conflict with what the coach is teaching.

My Pledge to Set a Good Example

Whether I am a player or an adult, I will not be loud or negative towards players, referees, coaches or spectators. As an adult, I should know that failing to show respect for people who are doing the best they can sets a bad example for our children and can result in expulsion from the venue and additional consequences. If someone else makes an inappropriate comment, I will not make a negative response that could lead to a confrontation. As a player, I should control my negative emotions to avoid embarrassing myself and my team, risking ejection, and hurting my team’s chances of winning. And I should realize that my behavior influences younger players.

Coaches should remember that encouragement and praise for every child, not just the best athletes, are critically important to their self-esteem and their ability to achieve the most they can.

I recognize that striving to win, rather than winning itself, is what is important in life. Striving to win means doing the best you can. Winning too much means only that your competition is weaker. I recognize that players must get adequate playing time to improve and gain the confidence that helps them do the best they can. Participation is what makes it fun. I acknowledge that this is more important than winning games. If coaches feel that their team lost simply because a player of lesser ability received appropriate playing time, they did the right thing.

I acknowledge that making mistakes and losing are part of life. We all suffer setbacks. I pledge that I will be tolerant of the mistakes of players, coaches, referees, and others. I recognize that mistakes are opportunities for learning. I recognize that within the parameters of competition, sportsmanship and fair play are paramount. I pledge that I will commit to promoting an atmosphere of healthy competition to ensure fun for all participants.